Cafe Royal, Edinburgh

Two visits either side of Xmas. Recommended by a friend whose taste buds I trust. In December it was Hickory smoked pink roasted duck with salsify, walnuts and green vinaigrette dressing and rocket leaves. I was surprised that the duck was cold but nonetheless it was good stuff. Quality brown bread with lashings of fresh butter. Main course of Venison on red cabbage with blue berries, green beans and yellow (er.. no there wasn't anything yellow it just seemed to flow). Chilli spiced sweet potatoes were orange however. Good nosh. Maybe one colour too many. Wine was a single glass of New Zealand red at an overpriced £6.

January saw Stornoway black pudding and apple gratin followed by Veal escalope with paprika, sour cream and peppernatta. Some green beans as well. I assumed gratin dishes were cheesy but the waitress assured mr that this was not the case. The veal was knobbly rather than smooth and I wasn't sure what a pappernatta was. The web says peppers and onions cooked in different ways. Same glass of wine.

Both were expensive dinners when your budget is £25 and you spend £35 and only get one glass of wine but the quality was good but not as good as other places in this blog. Decor was fabulous and the bar next door seemed very interesting and alive with character.